Howard Stern Denies ‘Woke’ Claims Amid Retirement Rumors

Howard Stern, known for his shock jock radio persona, pushed back against allegations of being “woke” and rumors surrounding his retirement during a recent show. He stated that neither claim is accurate.

Once a controversial figure who challenged the FCC over his provocative content, Stern has faced criticism in recent years for allegedly softening his approach to comedy, the very style that propelled his fame. Despite this perception, rumors of his departure from the airwaves have persisted.

During his appearance, Stern humorously noted his recent vacation and a bizarre experience he had, saying, “I found myself in ‘Stephen Colbert country,’ where I was somehow ousted by the FCC. I’m not really sure why, or if I’m too woke…what does being woke even mean?”

“If I wake up too much, then the world will be turned upside down,” he added. “Honestly, I don’t always know what I’m saying. But if being awake is what it takes, then I embrace it.”

In response to the criticism, fellow radio host Andy Cohen suggested that being called “woke” may simply indicate that someone cares about others. Stern agreed, stating, “It seems like now it’s not considered tough to care about folks, but I’m not fired yet. In fact, I’m talking to Sirius about extending my time with them. If that happens, fantastic.”

Interestingly, Stern seems to have accepted the label of “woke,” indicating a shift in his own viewpoint. He mentioned, “You often hear that idea: if you’re awake, you’re out. But I see that as a compliment. Being awake means I can’t support Trump, or oppose transgender rights, or be anti-vaccine. Call me woke, if you like.”

The radio host went further, expressing a desire to stay informed and connected to reliable news sources. He noted, “I believe the 2020 election was not fraudulent. That realization opened my eyes. I take it as a compliment.”

There have been moments when Stern’s comments seemed at odds with his past emphasis on free speech. This includes his remarks regarding Joe Rogan, who, some argue, stepped into the niche once held by Stern. Back in January 2022, musician Neil Young had urged Spotify to remove his music over concerns about Rogan’s alleged misinformation on COVID-19.

Stern defended Young’s stance, saying, “I don’t think he’s pushing for censorship. He’s simply saying, ‘If my music brings people together, I don’t want to be associated with an organization that’s spreading harmful misinformation.'”

Later, Stern expressed strong opposition to censorship but insisted that certain circumstances, particularly concerning life and death, complicate that stance. He has often attracted backlash, especially during the pandemic, where he controversially suggested denying medical treatment to those unvaccinated.

Reflecting his cautious behavior during the pandemic, Stern shared his ongoing struggles with fear about COVID-19, even admitting that it caused tensions in his marriage. “I’m crazy paranoid about it,” he said. “I don’t want to catch the virus, so I’ve been cautious about going back to the studio.”

More recently, after a caller compared Trump to Hitler, Stern remarked, “I couldn’t agree more,” linking the situation to historical events that warned of dire consequences if the wrong leadership is allowed to prevail.

“This feels like a replay of pre-World War II,” he noted, underscoring his concerns about America’s political future.